BX 1860 starts rough

[poldies4]

The last few times i've run my BX it seems to start pretty ugly. Today for the first time it started and quit. Lots of white smoke for the first 5-10 seconds. It lives in a dry warm barn, and only has 20 hrs on it. A while back I posted a thread about starting procedure and have not really altered mine since it was new. For some reason after starting it from cold, it sputters, and smokes before it "catches". Today it sputtered and quit after 3-4 seconds. I attempted to start it again, it sputtered and smoked for 5-10 seconds and then idled normally. I've noticed this becoming gradually worse over the last month or so. I use good fuel from a large station, and let it warm up properly, I maybe baby it too much, but this is a little bit of a concern for me. So my questions are, is this normal? I feel like my new tractor should start like a new tractor. I check my fluids before every use, and all are topped off. The tractor runs great, and once its warmed up it starts perfectly, or at least what I believe is perfect. I've always preheated for the 3-5 second per the manual, and it doesn't seem to make a difference if the throttle is at idle, half throttle(as recommended by the manual) or am I just asking a diesel engine to be like a gas engine? Maybe it's something simple? Any Ideas? Thanks in advance........

 

[radioman]

perhaps your glow plugs is bad?

 

[beckmurph]

Are you using your glow plugs before starting?

 

[poldies4]

Are you using your glow plugs before starting?

Preheating 3-5 seconds per the manual

 

[art]

i think you might have a fuel problem. I'd take a hard look at your filter, see if it's discolored or has sedement in it.

 

[mjym]

use the glow plug a bit longer and put the trottle up a bit and you will see some difference

 

[Stargazer]

Second the little long plug and slight higher throttle. It wuz durn cold here mid iowa yesterday from the 75-80 last week.

 

[kevinj]

Preheating 3-5 seconds per the manual

Are you counting 3 - 5 or timing it???? Counting to 3 is about 1.5 seconds. What is the temp??? As it gets colder it takes more glow. Most diesels sputter for a few seconds.

 

[EE_Bota]

I go a bit longer on the glow plugs than you do. I guess I go around 6 seconds in the summer, and 10 seconds in the winter.

 

[bp fick]

It was freezing recently, literally. In warmer weather 3-5 counts works OK. In the cold stuff 6-10 counts. In zero weather, two sets of 10 counts. It fires up in a flash. No puffs and no stumbles. Also, diesel additive year round. Just a wee splash in fuel can.

 

[poldies4]

Thanks guys, I just went out and gave it a little more throttle, and gave it an 8 count and the result was much better. I work outside most of the year, I guess 40 is warm to me, not so much for the BX. As it turns out my guess for 1/4 throttle was 1600 rpm at start. I'll do it this way consistently, and what is the additive? Be as specific as you can if you don't mind, i'm real new at this diesel thing.

 

[bp fick]

1600 is plenty fast, imo. YMMV

The additives are legion and you will get a ton of advice on this. I simply pick up the white bottle at WalMart and everywhere, everywhere else. $8 buys a good sized bottle Power Service.

Power Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boost cetane, reduce emissions, improve fuel economy

BTW, a splash means just that. A shot glass to my 2 1/2 gallon fuel can. The old saying, if some is good, more is better? Not in this case.

 

[poldies4]

thanks bp, appreciate it.

 

[kevinj]

1600 is plenty fast, imo. YMMV

The additives are legion and you will get a ton of advice on this. I simply pick up the white bottle at WalMart and everywhere, everywhere else. $8 buys a good sized bottle Power Service.

Power Service Products, diesel fuel additives, prevent gelling, clean injectors, disperse water, boost cetane, reduce emissions, improve fuel economy

BTW, a splash means just that. A shot glass to my 2 1/2 gallon fuel can. The old saying, if some is good, more is better? Not in this case.

And I have been using the Howes product

 

[Tractor Factor]

I also use that Power Service additive bp fick mentioned. The white bottle to the left in that picture is the cold weather stuff. Their website says about it: "This is the product of choice for optimal winter operation." I keep a plastic measuring cup in a zip lock bag to keep dust and dirt out and mix it right in the tank. The directions say you can add more (double I think) for really cold weather use.

 

[poldies4]

By the way, anyone still wondering about this? I doubled my preheat count to eight to ten, and the engine starts right up, nice and smooth, like it should. Thanks to all for the advice. Never had a diesel before, so what is obvious to others is news to me. Thanks again......

 

[bp fick]

By the way, anyone still wondering about this? I doubled my preheat count to eight to ten, and the engine starts right up, nice and smooth, like it should. Thanks to all for the advice. Never had a diesel before, so what is obvious to others is news to me. Thanks again......

My dealer put a bug in my ear, when demonstrating the 1860, when I was buying. It was he who recommend the 8-10 count. In the early days, I would sometimes rush that and got the rough results, like you did. I quickly quit rushing. It may be more unique to these D722 engines, I don't know, but if you glow for a full 8 counts, it roars to life IMMEDIATELY with no smoke, no nothin'. I'm talking the very first revolution. Sweet!

 

[kevinj]

By the way, anyone still wondering about this? I doubled my preheat count to eight to ten, and the engine starts right up, nice and smooth, like it should. Thanks to all for the advice. Never had a diesel before, so what is obvious to others is news to me. Thanks again......

An 8 count is about 4 seconds or right on with the manual!!!:thumbsup:

 

[sld]

I'm a Ford guy and have a glow plug indicator on the dash. It takes a full 20-25 seconds for it to glow red telling me to go ahead and start it.

Even when fairly warm outside, I'll hit the plugs until it glows and have never had a problem starting.

I think you are on the right track about giving the glow plugs more time.

 

[leonz]

I use a kerosene salamander for
my equipment(gas engines) when its cold,
or from being left overnight
I plug in the block heater for my truck
even during the warm months.




leonz:thumbsup: